Tank cleaning device



W. E. PETERSON ETAL TANK CLEANING DEVICE Fired Aug. 8, 19,28

5 25 l 29 5- 4 P: 154 j 7 5 v "/m ^7\\ l l A 5 gvmnlou 19u/Iwan mr@ e attouwu:

Patented Dec. 29, 1931 UNITED sTfAQTEs PATENT OFFICE WALTER E. PETERSON, OF-INGLEWOOD, AND DUNCAN A. NORTON, OF EL SEGUNDO, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNORTS T STANDARD OIL COMPANY OF CALIFORNIA, 01? SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, AV CORPORATION OF DELAWARE TANK CLEANING DEVICEl Application vmea August riozs. serial No. 293,213.'

This invention relates to apparatus for effecting lthe vcleaning of tanks. While the device can be used for cleaning the interior of any compartment or container, it 1s 1ntended to be especially useful for cleanlng the interiors of tank cars and the like, used for transporting or storing petroleum oils. Tanks used for this purpose must be cleaned from time to time. Tank cars used for transporting heavy oils, such as fuel oil, can only be cleaned by hand with extreme diiiiculty for thereason that all of the oil, sediment and bottom-sediment must be removed before the tank or tank car can'be replaced in service. It has been customary to clean the interior of such tank cars by alternately steaming and Washing down the interior. Steaming causes the oil to be exuded from the seams of the tanks so that the Water can wash it down to the bottom of the tank Where it is drawn off.

This steam and Washing operation usually consumes about two days time, and necessitates the use of a large number of cars on which demurrage charges must be paid While the cars are being cleaned.

Another disadvantage of this steaming and Washing operation is that the Workmen must' enter the tank to operate the cleaning hose.

` The pressure of the Water is about 50 to 70 pounds pressure, and, owing to the insecure footing on the oily curved'bottom of the tank, the cleaning operation is extremely hazardous. Furthermore, the fumes from the oil on the interior of the tank are injuriousg to the Workmen when breathed, and are also explosive. For this reason it is extremely desirable to provide an apparatus for this purpose which will avoid the neces- 40 sity for the Workmen entering the tank, and

which Will also be more immediately effective in cleaning tank cars, so as to avoid the charges for demurrage.

The general object of the invention is to provide a simple apparatus for cleaning the interior of tanks, or tank cars, expeditiously; also without necessitating the entrance of the Workmen into the tank. The preferred embodiment of the invenbo tion involves the use of a shaft that extends down into the interior of thev tank from the man-hole in the upper wall, and carrying a hose-nozzle from which the Water is projected laterally and at different angles. Due to the reaction of the Water escaping from the nozzle under the high ressure used, there is a considerable lateral orceexerted upon the shaft at the nozzle.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide means for securing the shaft rigidly in position so as to resist this lateral force.

A further object of the invention is to i providey simple means for setting the nozzle in different oriented positions, and for controlling the nozzle to point it in different directions in the tank. Also to provide simple means for indicating to the operator of the device the oriented position of the nozzle, and also the inclination of the nozzle up or down With respect to a horizontal line.

Further objects of the -invention will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the novel parts and combinations of parts to be described hereinafter, -all of which contribute to pro-- duce an eiicient tank cleaning device.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is described in the following specification, A

While the broad scope of the invention 1s pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a vertical section taken through the middle portion of a tank car and showlng our apparatus partly in elevation and partly in section.

Figure 2 is a section taken about on the line 2-2 of Figure 1, and particularly illustrating the means for setting and holding the nozzle at different angular elevations, and for indicating the inclination of the nozzle.

Figure 3 is a horizontal section taken about on the line 3 3 of Figure l, and particularly illustrating the means for setting and holding the nozzle in different oriented positions.

Figure 4 is a horizontal section taken about on the line LL-Lt of Figurel, further illustrating the construction of the spider, and

also illustrating means which may be' eml ployed for indicating the oriented position of the nozzle within the tank to assist the operator of the device in cleaning the tank.

Figure 5 is a vertical section about on the line 5-5 of Figure 1, and illustrating details of means which may be employed for controlling the inclination of the nozzle.

I n practicing the invention, we provide a frame which is construted so that it is capable of being supported in the upper opening or man-hole in the upper wall of the tank. This frame is preferably provided with means for bracing it so that the vertical shaft which forms a part of the frame will be held securely in a substantially vertical position.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention we provide a spider 1, which preferably consists of two crossed bars, or arms, 2 and 3 (see Fig. 4). These bars extend radially from a hub 4 through which the shaft of the device extends downwardly into the exterior of the tank, and through the upper wall 5 of the tank which is provided with a large opening 6. The spider is constructed to be supported on the coaming v7 which is provided at the edge of the upper opening 8 which is formed through the crown or dome 9 which surmounts the tank of a tank car.

The shaft that extends down into the interior of the tank preferably includes a tubular shaft 10 which carries a nozzle 11 at the lower end. This nozzle should be mounted in some way to enable its elevation or inclination to a horizontal line to be controlled from above. It is preferably mounted for limited rotation, that is, to rock to and fro on a horizontal axis by securing its side to a stub shaft 12 (see Fig. 5). The rear end of the nozzle is supplied with water under pressure, or any other cleaning iuid, through a flexible conduit, for example, a hose 13 that extends down through the opening 8, passing through the space between the bars 2 and 3.

The tubular shaft 10 is provided with two collars, 14 and 15, attached to it by set screws, and these collars support the shaft in position and prevent it from being forced upwardly by the reaction to the water stream when the nozzle is pointed downwardly.

The upper end of the tubular shaft 10 is provided with a handle, preferably in the form of two arms, 16, which project radially from the shaft 10 in opposite directions. This handle is most conveniently formed by connecting a cross-connection 17 to the upper end of the tubular shaft 10 to which the bars 16 are attached by threads. These bars may consist of short pieces of pipe.

By employing a cross 17, the upper hub or flange 18 of the cross will operate as a seat for locking wheel 19, which we prefer to employ for setting and adjusting the elevation of the nozzle 11. This wheel is attached rigidly to an inner shaft 20 that extends down to the nozzle, and actuates-beveled gears 21 (see Fig. 5) for rotating the nozzle on the axis of the stub shaft 12. Above the locking wheel 19 a hand-wheel 22 may be provided for rotating the shaft 20 to set it into dilferent positions. Any suitable means may be provided to coo erate with the locking wheel to lock it in di erent positions. In the present instance, this wheel is provided with equidistant notches 23 in its periphery which cooperates with a spring-pressed plunger or dog 24 supported on one of the arms 16, (see Fig. 2). The arms 16 should have a definite4 position with respect to the vertical plane of rotationV of the nozzle 11. Preferably they should be located substantially at right angles to the nozzle when the same is in a horizontal position.

We prefer to provide simple means for setting the tubular shaft 10 in different oriented positions with respect to the inn'er shaft to enable the nozzle to be set at different angles of elevation or depression, so that when the arms 16 are rotated the nozzle will be directed into all parts of the interior of, the tank. For this purpose we provide a locking disk 25 supported on the collar 15, and connected with the shaft 10 so that it can be slid upwardly on the shaft but so that it can not rotate independently of the shaft. `f9.5

For this purpose we prefer to provide a large s line 26 on the side of the tubular shaft 10 (Isee Fig. 3),"which is received in a corresponding notch in the edge of the opening 27 in the disk.

On the upper side of the spider a post 28 is provided that projects upwardly, terminating in a small pin 29 that can be received in any one of a plurality of circumferentially disposed openings 30 in the disk. With this: 1

arrangement it will be evident that the disk 25 can be shoved up on the tubular shaft so as to disengage it from the pin 29, whereupon the tubular shaft can be slightly rotated on its central axis to bring the next opening 30 into position over the pin. When this is done, the disk 25 can be dropped down on to the pin so as to lock the tubular shaft in itsnew oriented position.

In order to enable the operator of the device to use it methodically, and to insure that the nozzle can be directed for a suicient time in every necessary position on the interior of the tank, we provide an indicator 31 (see Fig. 4) which is of circular form and graduated in a rude way by means of radial lines 32 on one side of a diametric line.

In using the apparatus the nozzle can be brought into line in succession with these different lines 32. This will hold the nozzle in 4125 33 cooperating with a wing nut .and'bolt 34 (see Fig. 4).

After one end of the car has been cleaned, using the indicator 31 as described, the wing bolt at 34 can be loosened up and the indi` cator thrown around to a substantially opposite position to enable the other end or other :ide of the tank to be cleaned.

In order to hold the lower end of the shaft 10 securely and at the same time provide for the freedom of rotar movement which it should have, we provi e a brace 35, the lower end of which is attached pivotally to a sleeve, or housing, 36, through which the tubular shaft 10 fits and slides freely. The upper end of the brace 35 is formed into a clamp 37 having a hand-operated clampingscrew 38 having a handle 40 at its upper end which can be reached by the workman by extending his arms down through the o ening 8.

In the operation of the device, the disk 25 can be lifted off the pin 29 to enable the tubular shaft 10 to be rotated through a slight angle until the next opening 30 comes in line with the pin to lock the tubular shaft in a new oriented position. In this way the vertical swinging plane in which the nozzle 11 swings can be altered as desired. The indieating lines 32 (see Fig. 4) facilitate the progressive movement of the nozzle in this way around the axis of the shaft 10.

In all the different positions in which the nozzle swings, its elevation can be controlled and set progressively by releasing the springcontrolled latch bolt 24. and rotating the shaft 20 by means of the hand-wheel 22.

In order to indicate to the operator of the device the inclination which the nozzle has with respect to a horizontal line, we provide the periphery of the wheel 19 with a small pin 19al (see Fig. 2) that has a definite position with respect to the position of the nozzle. For example, when the pin 19a is at right angles to the spring-pressed bolt 24, the nozzle should be located in a horizontal position. When the pin is located on one side of this line, of course the nozzle would be elevated, and when it is located on the other side, the nozzle would be depressed.

It is understood that the embodiment of the invention described herein is only one of the many embodiments this invention may take, and we do not wish to be limited in the practice of the invention, nor in the claims, to the particular embodiment set forth.

Cap screws (not illustrated) may be employed if desired for rigidly securing the spider to the coaming of the manhole.

What we claim is:

1. In a device for cleaning the interior of a tank having an opening in its upper wall, the combination of a frame having a spider constructed to be supported in the opening, said frame including a shaft extending down into the interior of the tank and having a ing in the dome aligning with the first named opening, the combination of a frame having a spider constructed to be supported on the said dome adjacent its opening and having means for engaging the edge of the first named opening, said spider having radially disposed arms with acentral hub, a shaft supported at said hub and extending down into the interior of the tank, a movable nozzle carried adjacent the lower end of the shaft, means located adjacent the spider for condown through the said openings and between the arms of the spider and connected to the nozzle for carrying liquid to it.

3. In a device 'for cleaning the interior of a tank having an opening in its upper wall. and a dome over the opening, with an opening in the dome aligning with the first named opening, the combination of a frame having a spider constructed to be supported on the said dome adjacent its opening and having a hand-operated clamp for engaging the/edge of the first named opening,. said frame introlling the nozzle, and a hose to extend cluding a shaft'extending down into the in` terior of the tank, a nozzle connected with the shaft for rocking to and fro on a substantially horizontal axis, means located adjacent the spider for rocking the nozzle on its horizontal axis, to move the nozzle into an elevated or depressed position, means for holding the nozzle at a fixed angle of elevation or depression, and means for conducting liquid to the nozzle.

4:. In a device for cleaning the interior of a tank having an opening in its upper wall and a dome over the opening, with an opening in the dome aligning with the first named opening, the combination of a spider constructed to be supported on the said dome adjacent to the opening, a tubular shaft extending down from the spider, a brace having a clamp at its upper end for engaging the edge of the first named opening and having means at its lower end for rotatably7 engaging the tubular shaft, means located'at the spider for holding the tubular shaft in different oriented positions, a nozzle carried at the lower end of the tubular shaft, means for rocking the nozzle to and fro in a substantially vertical plane, means located at the opening for controlling the direction in which the nozzle extends from its horizontal axis, and means for conducting liquid to the nozzle.

5. In a device for cleaning the interior of a tank having an opening in its upper wall,

the' combination of a spider constructed to shaft extending down from the spider, a

. brace having a clamp at its upper end for engaging the edge of the opening and having means at its lower end for rotatably engaging the tubular shaft, means located at the spider for holding the tubular shaft in different oriented positions with respect to its longitudinal axis, a nozzle carried at the lower end of the tubular shaft, means for rocking the nozzle to and fro in a substantially vertical plane on a substantially horizontal axis, means located at the opening for controlling the inclination of the nozzle from a horizontal to t e nozzle.

6. In a device for cleaning the interior of a tank having an opening in its upper wall and a dome over the opening, with an opening in the dome aligning with the first named opening, the combination of a spider constructed to be supported on the said dome adjacent to the domes opening, a tubular shaft extending down from the spider, a brace having a clamp at its upper end for engaging the edge of the first named opening and having means at its lower end for rotatably engaging the tubular shaft, means located at the spider for holding the tubular shaft in different oriented positions with respect to its longitudinal axis, a nozzle carried at the lower end of the tubular shaft, means for rocking the nozzle to and fro on a horizontal axis, means for controlling the elevation of the nozzles end from a point adjacent the spider, means for conducting liquid to the nozzle, and a handle connected to the tubular shaft in a fixed position. y

7. In a device for cleaning the interior of a tank having an opening in its upper wall and a dome over the opening, with an opening in the dome aligning with the first named opening, the combination of a spider constructed to be supported on the said dome adjacent to its opening, a tubular shaft extending down from the spider, a brace having a clamp at its upper end for engaging the edge of the first named opening and having means at its lower end for rotatably engaging the tubular shaft, means located at the spider for holding the tubular shaft in different oriented positions with respect to its longitudinal axis, a nozzle carried at the lower end of the tubular shaft, means for rocking the nozzle in a substantially vertical plane, mea-ns for controlling the elevation of the nozzles end from a point adjacent the spider, and means for conducting liquid to the nozzle.

8. In a device for cleaning the interior of a tank having an opening in its upper wall, the combination of a frame having a spider constructed to be supported at said opening, a tubular shaft extending down through the spider into the interior of the tank, a handle position, and means for conducting liquid on the tubular shaft for rotating the same in the spider, detachable means for locking the tubular shaft to the spider in different oriented positions on its own longitudinal axis, a nozz e carried adjacent the lower end of the tubular shaft and mounted for rotation on a substantiall horizontal axis,'an inner shaft extending own the tubular shaft with means connecting the same with the nozzle to rotate the nozzle for adjustment on said horizontal axis, detachable means for locking the said inner shaft in different oriented positions with respect to its longitudinal axis to hold the nozzle at different angles, means carried by the upper end of the inner shaft for rotatmg the same, and means for conducting liquid to the said nozzle.

9. In a device for cleaning the interior of a tank having an opening in its upper Wall, the combination of a spider constructed to be supported on the tank at said opening, a tubular shaft extending down through the spider, a locking disc mounted on the tubular shaft above the spider with means for locking the same against relative rotation on the tu ular shaft, a fixed locking pin on the spider, said disc having a plurality of means for engaging said pin and being capable of upward movement on the tubular shaft to disengage the disc from the pin to permit orientation of the tubular shaft into a new position, a movable nozzle carried by the lower end of the tubular shaft, means for controllin the same from a point above the spider, aln means for conducting liquid to the nozz e.

10. In a device for cleaning the interior of a tank having an opening in its upper wall, the combination of a spider constructed to be supported on the tank at said opening, a tubular shaft extending down through the spider, a locking disc mounted on the tubular shaft above the spider with means for lockin the same against relative rotation on the tuular shaft, fixed means on the spider for engaging the disc at a plurality of points to lock the same against rotation, said disc being capable of upward movement on the tubular shaft to disengage it from said fixed means to permit orientation of the tubular shaft, a nozzle carried by the lower end of the tubular shaft and mounted for rotation on a substantially horizontal axis, an inner shaft extending down the tubular shaft and having means for rotating the nozzle on its horizontal axis, and means for conducting liquid to the nozzle.

11. In a device for cleaning the interior of a tank having an opening in its upper wall, the combination of a spider constructed to be supported on the tank at said opening, a tubular shaft extending down through the llO spider and supported thereby, a nozzle carshaft to rotate on a substantially horizontal axis, a-ha-ndle on the tubular shaft above the spider for rotating the tubular shaft on its vertical axis, means for holding the tubular shaft fixed in its dierent adjusted positions,

a shaft extending down the tubular shaft With means actuated thereby for swinging 'the nozzle in a Vertical plane on its horizontal axis, means for holding the inner shaft in a plurality of different adjusted positions, and means for conducting liquid to the nozzle.

12. In a device for cleaning the interior of a tank having an opening in its Wall, the combination of a shaft extending through said opening into the interior of the tank and having a movable nozzle adjacent its inner end, means mounted on the exterior ofthe tank for rotating the shaft about its axis, means movable independently of the last named means, and operable on the exterior of the tank for rotating the nozzle in a plane substantially at right angles to the axis of rotation of said shaft, and a iexible conduit extending down through the opening for conducting the cleaning fluid, and connected to the rear end of the nozzle.

13. In a device for cleaning the interior of a tank having an opening in its Wall, the combination of a flexible conduit with a discharge nozzle on the end thereof, a rotatable shaft rigidly joined to said nozzle, the axis of the shaft being substantially at right angle to the axis of the nozzle, a frame supporting said shaft, a second rotatable shaft positioned Within the frame with its axis substantially at right angles to the axis of said rst shaft, means for rotating said second shaft, means for causing said first shaft to be rotated bysaid second shaft, and means .for rotating said frame in a lane substantially parallel to the axis of sai first shaft.

14. In a device for cleaning the interior of for rotating said shaft, a second rotatable shaft transversely mounted -in said frame adjacent one end thereof, means-for causing the second shaft to be rotated by the first shaft a nozzle rigidly secured to one end of said second shaft, the axis of the nozzle being substantially at right angles to the axis of said second shaft, and a flexible conduit communieating with said nozzle.

15. In a device for cleaning the interior df a tank having an opening in its upper Wall, the combination of a frame constructed to be supported at the opening, a shaft extending down into the interior of the tank froni thel frame, a nozzle With means for supporting the same Within the tank to rock to and fro on a substantially horizontal axis, hand-actuated means associated With the frame for setting 

